One day, two events: Teaching Day, with the theme ‘Quality in Teaching’, and Careers Day
Apprenticeship Day
For the approximately 50 participants at this year’s Teaching Day, there were several reasons to celebrate: an important milestone in quality development, new faces amongst the academic staff, digital innovations to support the start of the academic year – and people whose dedication has had a particularly significant impact on Ulm University of Applied Sciences (THU).
A milestone for the quality of teaching
To begin with, the THU looked back on the successful completion of its system accreditation and the journey taken together to achieve it, with creative and entertaining presentations. At the ceremony, to which representatives from AQAS – the accrediting agency responsible for the process – and EVALAG – the advisory agency – were also invited, Rector Prof. Dr Reuter accepted a specially designed certificate on behalf of all those involved. It symbolically recognises the successful completion of this multi-year process.
With system accreditation, the THU is granted the right to accredit its degree programmes itself in future. This means the university assumes even greater responsibility for the quality and continuous development of its degree programmes – and can organise quality assurance in an even more tailored and flexible manner, without compromising on its high quality standards.
Image 1: From left to right: the THU QM team and, in the centre, Jens Bihr (Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching at THU), Volker Reuter (Vice-Chancellor of the THU), Verena Kloeters (Commercial Director,
Head of the System Accreditation Division at AQAS), Rüdiger Brandt (Head of the Quality Management Unit), Sibylle Jakubowicz (Board Member of the Foundation and Head of the Consultancy, Evaluation and Organisational Development Department at EVALAG) and Annika Halder (Chair of the THU Accreditation Commission)
Welcome to the THU
The newly appointed professors also introduced themselves: in brief presentations, they spoke about their career paths, their main areas of research and teaching – and shared the odd entertaining personal anecdote. A warm welcome to the THU!
Image 2: From left to right: Prof. Dr.-Ing. João Paulo Vieira Bonifácio (Electric Drives), Prof. Dr. Martin Šoltés (Electrified Vehicle Drive Systems), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marcel Mahner (Design), Prof. Dr. Oliver Kopp (Software Development), Prof. Dr. Benedikt Eberhardinger (Cloud Engineering), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Metzlaff (Computer Engineering), Prof. Dr Grégory Schmauch (Food Technology), Prof. Dr Daniel Stetter (Smart Grids)
Digital support for starting university
In their presentation ‘How digital learning resources enhance teaching quality and reduce drop-out rates’, Oleg Winokurow and Tim Knittel introduced the now well-established tool SuperTut. It helps students get off to a good start in their studies, provides personalised feedback on their learning progress and can effectively complement regular teaching activities.
Image 3: From left to right: Tim Knittel and Oleg Winokurow (SuperTut)
Commitment that drives the THU
Another highlight of the day was the recognition of outstanding commitment: for her exceptional dedication to a sustainable university, student Ira Stemmerich received the Student Award from the Student Union (VS).
Christian Amiridse and Anja Wegner were awarded the proTHU Staff Prize. The award honours two people who not only help shape the THU, but also bring it to life with their ideas, dedication and passion – and who make a tangible contribution to fostering a sense of community at the THU.
Image 4: From left to right: Christian Amiridse, Ira Stemmerich and Anja Wegner
A festive end to the day
The day was rounded off with a communal barbecue lunch, jazz music performed by members of the university band and plenty of opportunities for personal interaction. A day of celebration that demonstrated that quality is not created solely through good structures and documented processes, but above all through people who work together to achieve it.
Image 5: Christian Amiridse (Head of Operations, Institute of Automotive Engineering, THU)
Image 6: From left to right: Volker Reuter (Vice-Chancellor, THU), Tim Pietzker, Karsten Günther (professors at THU) and Anja Wegner (QM staff member)
Careers Day 2026
At the THU Career Day, students, graduates and young professionals had the opportunity to meet over 65 exhibiting companies from various sectors and make contacts for work placements, final-year projects or starting their careers. Once again this year, the event was well attended and, in addition to plenty of information and networking opportunities, there was also a prize draw with attractive prizes.
Thank you to all the exhibitors, supporters, organisers and volunteers who made the Career Day possible for the next generation of specialists and managers.